Heather Stanning, Rowing, Great Britain

Great Britain breathed a huge collective sigh of relief as 27-year-old Heather Stanning and her partner Helen Glover won the host nation’s first gold of the London 2012 Games in the women’s coxless pairs. Stanning only started rowing at university because she thought the sport offered the best opportunities for socializing. After graduation she joined the British Army, where she was commissioned into the Royal Artillery in 2008 and spent 18 months as a Troop Commander in 32nd Regiment Royal Artillery. During this time Stanning continued to row, later putting her military career on hold to commit fully to the sport and prepare for the Olympics. She intends to return to the military in September, and could be deployed to Afghanistan next year.